5 Preventative Steps to Keeping Your Foundation Intact

The foundation of your house is the building block on which everything is built. It does more than just hold your house above ground, it insulates it against the cold, resists the earth’s movement, and keeps out moisture as well. A well built and maintained foundation could last for generation. Nowadays foundations are built with steel-reinforced concrete and concrete footings, but that doesn’t mean it won’t shift or sink. If your house was built on poorly prepared soil you could still have problems. Here are some tips that can keep your foundation intact, prevent foundation problems, and avoid having to deal with foundation repair.

1. Repair cracks with sealant

A foundation built with concrete slabs is likely to develop small hairline crack. These cracks are often cosmetic issues. These cracks can be sealed with sealant. If the cracking persists you need to contact a foundation repair professional.

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2. Keep your moisture levels consistent

Keeping the soil around your home at a consistent level of moisture is critical to maintaining a solid foundation. When your soil dries out, it can shrink, leading to problems with your foundation. Overwatering your soil can be just as big of a problem too however, so it’s important not to do that. A general rule for keeping your soil moist is to give the grass and plants as much water as they need, to survive, which should be enough to maintain proper soil moisture levels as well. There are systems available that will specifically water your foundation, but these are often more harmful than helpful, as they tend to overwater the foundation which leads to problems like excessive expansion of the soil during a rainstorm.

3. Use proper drainage

One of the most effective ways to keep your foundation intact is to use proper drainage systems. You should have a gutter system that channels water to downspouts that are tied into a drainage system that directs water away from your foundation. If your foundation is built on sandy soil, the water should be directed at least 5 feet away from your foundation and 10 feet away from a foundation built on soil prone to expansion. The further away the better and more likely to prevent foundation problems.

4. Watch for collections of water in the low areas around your house.

Low areas near your foundation can be taken care of with in-ground drains, which divert water into a catch basin.

5. Inspect your plumbing yearly

Leaks in your plumbing can lead to excessive moisture leaking into the soil. Perform yearly checks of all your plumbing including sprinkler systems and sewer lines.

As you can see, maintaining a strong foundation is critical to long-term health of your house. If you are looking for specialized solutions to prevent foundation damage or repair any current damage you have, contact URETEK today for a free estimate.